Why do I have to register to read a story?

[Rock'n Robin]

Today I clicked a link here and I would have to register to read the story. No thanks! This is happening more and more lately. I don't want to get spam from registering at newspapers all over the country! This is becoming one of my pet peeves. Don't get me wrong, there is no anger at the original poster, they proably don't know people would have to register--it's the newspapers that make me angry. They crab because overall newspaper readership is down, but when they get a chance to have you read their work, they want you to register!
Robin M.

 

[Maleficent13]

They aren't complaining that readership is down because they actually want you to read their paper...they just want the volume up so they can solicit more advertisers.

We need a smilie that's grinning evilly and rubbing itself with money...

 

[oogieboogie]

I don't have a problem with registring as long as there is a check box that states I can opt-out of getting notifications. So far, no spams at all. Reputable companies will comply with the opt-outs otherwise they could be fined and fined big!

 

[phamton]

I've never gotten spam from a newspaper registration. I know because I use another email to register for newspapers. You can use a fake name and address with a valid email such as me@privacy.net. I'm usually Jane Doe, 1234 Hollywood way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 but use my real email.

 

[caitycaity]

i've registered with more than 10 newspaper sites and i haven't gotten spam from any of them.

 

[mickeyboat]

But do they sell your information to mail order companies, telemarketers, etc. Has anyone noticed an increase in those kinds of solicitations after registering?

I guess the fear of getting bombarded with telephone calls has decreased since the advent of the Do Not Call Registry (It has been amazingly effective in my household). But what about snail mail?

Denae

 

[jrydberg]

Bottom line for me... there are way too many sources of news on the internet for me to have to bother registering.

 

[mickeyfan1]

Never been spammed, never got any telemarketer calls, never got anything even remotely additional in the snail mail. Most every newspaper site has a privacy feature. Anywhere I register, I always check to "do not give my infor out box" and it works.

On the other hand, I have an email address that I have NEVER given anyone, and it is full of spam every day.

 

[WDWHound]

I never register with these sites, but I don't resent them for asking me to do so. They do all the work to put up the web site, they have the right to determine under which conditions I can access it. I then have the right to decide if those conditions are worth the services they offer (and my answer is almoist always no).

 

[TheBellhop]

Originally posted by Maleficent13
We need a smilie that's grinning evilly and rubbing itself with money...

All we need is a picture of Eisner..hehe